Northwest Coast author Irene Skyriver reads from her award-winning book Paddling with Spirits - A Solo Kayak Journey. The adventure is both a kayaking experience and one of inner exploration as Skyriver connects the journey to that of her Native coastal ancestors.

This is a Whatcom READS event. The annual literary happening invites Whatcom County neighbors to read or listen to the same book and then come together to discuss and celebrate its themes and the joy of reading at lively, free public gatherings at WCLS libraries and partner locations across the county.

This year's book, "To the Bright Edge of the World," by Eowyn Ivey is set in the first decades after the United States purchased the Alaska Territory. This atmospheric, transporting tale of adventure, love, and survival features rich descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness and a fascinating glimpse at the burgeoning fields of naturalism and photography in the late 19th century.

For more information about Whatcom READS, please visit www.whatcomreads.org. Author events with Eowyn Ivey will take place from Thursday, March 5 through Saturday, March 7 throughout Whatcom County.

Whatcom READS is presented by all the public and academic libraries in Whatcom County and Village Books. We are grateful for our funding sponsors, Friends of the Bellingham Public Library and Whatcom County Library Foundation, and for the support of numerous community partners.